How Long Does It Take to Get Braces?

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET BRACES?

Like it or not, braces are an important piece in maintaining our oral health. What is more, braces represent one of today’s most effective correctional dental tools. However, many still fear the process of getting braces on. Whether it has to do with self-assurance or confidence issues, both children and adults are not keen of braces. Even so, braces are nothing to be alarmed about. In fact, more and more people begin to pay attention to their oral health and get braces. What is more, braces put an emphasis on how important our oral health truly is.

So, if you want to give braces another try, but are still uncertain, we are here to help. Below, you can read everything on the process of getting braces, its after-effects, and expected results. With this, you start preparing yourself for getting traditional braces and wearing them daily.

How Can You Prepare for Getting Braces?

Initially, you will have to emotionally make a decision on getting braces. Then, begin to physically prepare yourself, and schedule an appointment with your orthodontist. Finally, knowing that braces are practical and effective should also do the trick. Here are a few useful tips to help you on your journey with getting braces. Read on:

Be Knowledgeable

The more you know on braces, the better. Therefore, read articles just like ours, and consult your doctor if you are having any doubts. Know that everyone has a different experience with braces, depending on type of braces of the patient. Therefore, don’t take personal stories to heart.

Pros before Cons

Instead of hating on braces, try thinking on their positive effects. Aligned teeth, a straightened jaw, a smile that lights up a room, and a greater self-confidence. These are surely good enough pros, right?

Choose Your Preference

When it comes to braces, they are not necessarily a dull tool to use. Actually, braces today come in many different colors, making them super friendly for children. In adults, one of the most popular braces option is transparent, and it works like a charm.

Embrace the Potential Discomfort

Discomfort is not necessarily pain, therefore there’s no need to fear braces. Again, you can always consult your doctor on anything you like before you begin. Discomfort is a side-effect from getting braces, but it is definitely something that will fade in time.

Living Life

Yes, life without braces will change a bit, especially in terms of your menu. Some products, like gum and gummy bears will be forbidden to eat, so take this time to indulge yourself. Crunchy chicken, marshmallows and more – enjoy your life as much as possible!

Get Shopping

When getting braces for the first time, you should carefully choose your menu as well. Eating soft foods, like mashed potatoes, soups, and yogurt will help you adapt to your braces faster.

What Does the Process of Getting Braces Include?

Let’s discuss the very process of getting braces for the first time. Once your dentist diagnoses you, he or she will make an appointment to put on your braces. First, your dentist will place a cheek retractor in your oral cavity. This will allow a greater clarity when working.

Next is cleaning and drying the teeth, which helps your dentist attach the brackets better. Then it is time to place the brackets. Your doctor will use either cement or glue on each bracket, then applying one on each tooth. Once these harden enough, the dentist will remove any excess bond glue or cement. The retractor comes off, and then a wire comes over the brackets, holding the teeth in place. This helps the teeth align and settle into a more natural space.

Preparing the brackets and attaching them together with the wires should not last longer than 90 minutes. If your doctor works longer, know that a proper placement is crucial – regardless of how long it takes.

Is the Process of Getting Braces Painful?

The process on placing the braces is not painful at all. If you are still not okay with getting braces, ask your dentist for an oral anesthetic. In the first days of wearing them, you might experience a variety of symptoms. These include soreness, jaw tightness or moving teeth. Still, all these side-effects are common and will fade in a few days. Here, you can also take a mild painkiller to help ease the pain. But, if the pain keeps coming back, it is best to consult your doctor.

I just completed my treatment with Dr. Ivanov and I am so satisfied with my smile. Before I started my treatment, I consulted with a few other doctors and I did not think that it would be possible to align my teeth without any surgery and I’m glad I was wrong. The whole team, especially Amy and Helen has made each visit a pleasure. I highly recommend them if you are considering orthodontic treatment!read more

Loved my first experied the staff was amazing the place was cute and cozy. They where all attentive I LOVE my orthodontist and his assistant that was caring for me ( forgot her name). Dr. Ivanov was always checking on me throughout the procedure. The staff even called after I was home to make sure I was okay and comfortable with my new braces. I was even gifted with ice cream! I have already started recommending.read more

I can not be any more happier with Dr. Ivanov and his marvelous staff!! They are so awesome and have always been since day 1! I couldn't have asked for a better Orthodontist for my son Adrian. My son is so happy with the process and results so far! And we just started! Can't wait to see the end! So thankful for Ivanov Orthodontic Experts!!!read more

I LOVE this office. I highly recommend this office. Every time I come they have GREAT customer service and are very friendly. They make me feel at home every visit. Not only do I feel welcomed but their results are 100% REAL and absolutely AMAZING !!read more

Dr. Ivanov has been the most amazing and helpful Orthodontist. He makes you feel extremely comfortable with the process. He makes you feel more than just another patient but a friend. I am beyond satisfied and shocked with the results I've seen in the last couple of months with my braces. I definitely recommend with no hesitation. The experience is obviously pricy but it has been so worth it every step of the way. Thank you so much for making me feel so happy with my smile. I am truly grateful and thankful!!read more

FIVE-STAR PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

Awesome experience with Dr. Ivanov! He shows great passion in his work, and cares about his patients and their concerns. I had my braces for 1yr 11 months and now I’m wearing my retainers. It amazes me as I look at my before and after pics of how great he is. Very happy and well pleased with my results that I referred a colleague of mine. Special thanks to Dr. Ivanov and his team for the fabulous job done!

Ilene Arnette

I took my son to Dr. Ivanov because he had a severe overbite. The doctor explained everything to me with patience and understanding. I noticed the improvements in no time. I thought my son would be in braces for 3-4 years. My son, under Dr Ivanov’s care, now has the straightest most beautiful teeth (in only 2 years)!. The shape of his face adjusted to the changes as well and he looks ‘Hollywood’ Ready’. I am very satisfied with the doctor’s work. His office staff is great as well. Dr. Ivanov is very professional and I highly recommend!

Kathy S

Amazing experience! I’ve had my braces for 6 month now and I’m impressed of how much my teeth have changed. No pain at all. Dr. Ivanov is such a sweet person and very professional, he knows what he’s doing and always cares for patients personal concerns. Highly recommended!

Tula Garcia

Dr . Ivanov is in one word AMAZING . I been under his care for a year and I got to say What a change!!! I cannot wait to see the final results . . He always answers all my questions, in every visit he will take the time to understand how my teeth are improving and always makes the right decision. The staff is awesome, I always feel right at home . I made the best choice when I decided to get my braces with Dr . Ivanov. There’s is no doubt he is the best ortho . Thank you Dr. Ivanov for the hard work and for being so amazing and helping me feel awesome with every month visit . Anyone who is looking for a good ortho and the best care , there’s no other , Dr. Ivanov is the man!!!

Anabel Moliner

Dr. Ivanov, Amy, and Helen are great! Dr. Ivanov took his time to get to know me, understand my needs, and come up with a treatment plan within my expectations. He offered various treatment options, and Amy and Helen offered payment options. They answered multiple questions without hesitation and with patience. They are all very friendly and personable. Happy I got my braces with them today. P.S. They all worked very quickly to get my braces on as painless as possible. And it went better than expected.

Jeffrey Hernandez

Dr. Ivanov was amazing. When I first got my braces I was scared it was going to last 4yrs for my teeth to look better but it only lasted 2yrs and the results are beyond amazing. I’m really happy with everything and would absolutely recommend him to anyone. Thank you so much.

Kimberly Martinez

Dr. Ivanov was my orthodontist. I had a very difficult case, I had an opening in my front area when I closed my mouth. Most orthodontist that I went to said that this case would be impossible to do without surgical intervention. Dr. Pavel thought outside of the box and was able to straighten my teeth WITHOUT surgical intervention. I felt that I was in safe hands because after careful research I found that he graduated at the very top of his class. He was able to do a complex braces technique called the MEAW technique to straighten my teeth. He has restored my self confidence and smile. I highly recommended Dr. Ivanov, he will go out of his way to make sure that your treatment plan is well thought out and he will spend his time to evaluate your situation. He is the Best Orthodontist in the North Miami\Aventura area.

David Nguyen

I’ve been visiting Ivanov since December 2015. I had crossbites, crowded teeth, and just all the works. Together with his professional and amazing staff I was able to slowly over the years fix my smile into something life-changing. I am internally grateful to him as well as his staff, especially his assistant and front desk. If you don’t come here then you’re just passing up a great opportunity to change your life for the better and meeting amazing people who will help every step of the way to getting you a better smile! Thanks again, Mr Ivanov.

Hiyomoto Miyagi

Very good experience. The attention was great. The doctor is very punctual and they don’t make you wait, which for my busy schedule is super important. Also, the time the doctor told me I had to wear the braces was the exact time I needed and I was very happy with the results. Definitely recommend him.

Laura Jimenez

Dr. Ivanov and his staff really feels like my second family here and they’re always looking out for the best of me. When I first came into the office, my teeth were quite messed up, but now only after a year, it feels surreal that the braces could fix them so well. I see myself smiling alot more and feeling much more confident to show my teeth than to just smirk like I used to. They give you good advice on how to take care of yourself and take the extra step to make sure you do. When I come here for my checkup, I never feel awkward or uncomfortable because they’ll welcome and talk to you as a friend as well as your dentist, something I feel good about when I think about it walking out and saying “See you next month!”

Kyle Hoang

Dr. Ivanov was amazing. He was very understanding and took the time to explain, every step of the process for my daughters braces. I am proud to say with great care her braces were finally removed and the end result is the beautiful smile she now has. Thank you

Christina Jenkins

Usually, when a professional says that the reason they do what they do is to see the end results and how happy it makes their patients, you have to take it with a grain of salt. However, with Dr. Ivanov, he doesn’t even have to tell you why he does what he does for you to know that it’s out of pure kindness and enjoyment in seeing a (perfect) smile in his patients. From the very first moment I met him for a consultation for orthodontic work, I knew I was in good hands. Dr. Ivanov is one of the most humblest, kindest, and caring individuals I’ve ever met in the professional field and I know that I’ll have that perfect smile in no time.

Raj Shah

Ivan and his staff made my experience a smooth and convenient process. I am absolutely delighted and satisfied with the progress and how far my teeth has come. Ivan and his staff works effortlessly to ensure that my teeth are perfected beyond my expectations. If I had any other choice I would still choose Ivanov Orthodontic experts.

Joshua Xavier

Very good service they took great care of me Helen is very very sweet and caring she walk me through everything ivanov was so welcoming and caring he is very passionate to his patients felt very comfortable the STAFF IS AMAZING THE PLACE IS CLEAN IM SO EXCITED TO START THIS JOURNEY WITH THEM ISABEL WAS VERY CARING WITH SHE EXPLAIN EVERYTHING VERY WELL I recommend Anyone to come here if you want fast and friendly service thank for the experience

Sergeline Pierre

My family and I are so happy with the results of Dr. Ivanov!!! So knowledgeable, kind and always available to answer questions. I am so happy we found him and his staff. I am looking forward to addressing my dental needs now that the family is on track!!! How many can say that about their dental experts. Way to go Dr. Ivanov!!!

James C. Murphy

Since day one, i’ve had positive and friendly energy with every staff member including your future orthodontist Dr. Ivanov. Dr. Ivanov have given every patient he’s recieved the optimum care and dedication to receive their dental goal. He will provide you the steps and information you need to make your journey a successful one. You’ll become so confident with your new smile at the end!! With the amount of time and work he has done with you, you’ll never doubt selecting Dr. Ivanov as your orthodontist.

Marsha Belvy

He is awesome. You will start seeing changes quick in your smile. He shows passion in his work, he cares about you and your smiles. The office is very nice and great customer service. You will be in good hands if you choose to go with him.

Ketty Platon

How Long Does It Take to Adapt to My Braces?

First, let’s talk about physical contact. If you decide to get braces, you will have to make sure you don’t break them by accident. Sometimes, foods or harsher face contact can cause an issue. If one of the brackets falls off, make a doctor’s appointment to replace it.

Now, adapting to your braces will take several weeks or up to a month. Of course, this depends on how crooked your misplaced your teeth are.

Once you adapt to your braces, your dentist will start making monthly appointments. These appointments are so the doctor can make necessary braces adjustments. If you crack a bracket or lose one of your elastic bands, your dentist will replace them and tighten the braces.

These appointments will initially take place every 3-10 weeks before the orthodontic treatment finishes.

How Can I Ease the Pain after Getting Braces?

If you are having pain troubles when wearing your braces, there are several things that can help. Here’s the list:

Have an aspirin or similar over-the-counter pain relievers. If pregnant or allergic, consult your dentist in your meds first.

Ask your doctor to prescribe orthodontic wax. Place the wax between the fingers and massage hurting brackets inside the mouth.

Avoid drinking alcohol as much as you can. The same goes for drinks like orange or tomato juice, as these are quite acidic and cause further pain. Plus, they stain as well, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.

In cases of mouth sores, avoid inspecting the issue with your fingers. Instead, eliminate the inflammation by combining 1 cup of water and ½ tsp. of salt. Use this salt water solution to gargle and rinse the mouth.

Supplemental Content

Getting braces can seem to be a long term commitment as it is not just a case of walking into the dentist and coming out a little later with them. Your trip to your dentist is just the start of the experience. They will obviously help you as much as they can but due to the limits of their knowledge and training they will have to hand you over to an orthodontist who will be in a better position to help you. At the beginning they may not be able to answer you when you ask, “how long does it take to get braces?” but after treating you for a while, they should be able to give you a good idea.

Although a dentist is well qualified, an orthodontist has trained for years longer than them and has specialized in fitting braces and dealing with problems with the mouth and the jaw. After the position of dentist is obtained, an application is made to a college, and the next phase begins. They will carry out further training and will be treating their own patients. Before they can be said to be an orthodontist they will have to pass a final test. Here they will face a panel and must show them what they have done.

Normally it will be the case that they must present 6 case histories and talk the panel through what they have done, and if the work is not completed, explain what they are going to do in the future. Providing they are successful here, they have to get licensed and decide where they are going to work. Once this has been completed, they can be classed as an orthodontist and can start working with dentists to help them with their patients who are in need of braces.

Understanding getting braces

Once your dentist has checked your teeth and told you that you require braces, you will need to find an orthodontist. Your dentist should be able to recommend one to you, but it is entirely up to you if you accept the recommendation or find your own. Whatever you do, you need to feel comfortable working with them and be able to ask them about anything that is worrying you. An ideal thing to do will be to visit the office and see how you feel. The things that you should consider are:

Do you like the orthodontist and feel comfortable with them treating you or your child?

Speak to the rest of the staff and see if you will be happy seeing them on a regular basis. If someone is not overly friendly it could be that they are just being professional, but if they are rude, then that should be a warning sign.

Is the treatment and waiting room clean and uncluttered? You want to be sure that you are being treated in hygienic conditions.

Location of the clinic. If you have to make a late night appointment is it in an area you will be happy visiting on your own? Is there plenty of parking in case you are in a rush, and if you don’t drive, is there a good system of public transport?

Was the clinic busy? This can be good or bad as it may mean that they are very popular and therefore likely to be good but could also mean appointments may be hard to come by.

Check the opening hours. Monday to Friday 9-5 may not be ideal as you could have to take time off work or take the children out of school in order to be seen.

Once you have decided that you are happy with the practice and have been accepted onto the books, you need to make your first appointment. Other than a checkup there may not be a great deal else done here, as there will be a lot to go through. It is their chance to find out all about you and your medical past, and for you to find out about them and ask anything that you may be unsure about. An obvious question will be “How long does it take to get braces?” The main other things that you are likely to ask will be:

What types of braces are available?

How long will the treatment take and how many appointments could I need?

Will it just be braces or could there be extractions? If the problem is overcrowding it is likely that the orthodontist will have to remove some teeth to create a space for the others to move into as they straighten up.

You may not like discussing money, but here it will be important. You need to check what can be covered by your insurance and what you will have to pay for. Often cosmetic work is not covered and as there are certain options, you may find that you cannot have exactly what you want without paying towards it.

Finally, you can ask about the follow up visits. What happens when the braces come off and how long will this last stage of treatment take and what will it entail?

How to Prepare for getting braces?

Once this meeting has taken place the real business can start, and you can be measured up for your braces. A dental check up will take place, and this is too make sure that there is no decay and that the teeth are able to withstand the braces. There are different types of braces and you should be informed of the various options available to you so that you can have an idea of what’s to come and have time to adapt. The different types of braces are:

Fixed braces – bands and brackets have to be attached to the teeth and dental cement is used to do this. Wires will be threaded through them and it is this wire that moves the teeth to the location they are required to be in. You can have the ligature a steel color or brightly colored with the use of bands.

Lingual braces – their design is very close to the braces described about except the workings are at the back of the teeth. They are much harder to detect but can also be harder to get used to wearing.

Invisalign braces are clear and are not permanently connected. They can be taken out while you are eating and if you have a special appointment. They should be in for about 22 hours a day, but there are times when you could get away with leaving them out a little longer.

You should also be told about anything that may change. You could find it difficult to speak and there will be certain things that you cannot eat. Certain types of braces will not make a difference, but it is going to be difficult when you have lingual braces in place. Some musicians are worried about playing musical instruments in which the mouth is involved. It will take a few weeks before you are back to normal, providing you are prepared to put in a little extra practice.

Advice on eating should be given and while this may seem strange, there are going to be a lot of things that you will struggle to eat. You can get grains and seeds caught in the bands and wires meaning that you must give a thorough and careful clean. You should take a little longer than normal just to make sure that you do manage to remove everything.

The process of getting fixed braces

The first visit will be the one where the groundwork is laid. You will have quite a lot of treatment, but the braces will not be there. First, there will be x-rays and then impressions. This is where the orthodontist uses plaster to get a clear impression of the location of the teeth. This will help them to decide which teeth need to move and which ones may have to be removed. If there is not enough room for the teeth that are there or are going to come through, then some will have to go. Most orthodontists will take out the teeth a little before fitting the braces as it will give the jaw a little time to recover but will not be long enough for it to heal up completely.

There is likely to be a brief session when the orthodontist will place the separators between the molars. This means they will move slightly and by the time the braces are ready to go on, there should be enough space for the molar bands if needed. After that there will be a visit so that the brackets and bands can be cemented into place, wires, and ties placed. This may take more than the one visit, but the orthodontist will decide at the time whether or not they can do it all in the one session.

Once the braces are fully fitted, there will not have to be as many visits, but you will still need to go back every 4 weeks to 2 months. This is so that the orthodontist can check that the teeth are moving the way they should be and also so that the bands can be tightened. If they are not then steps can be taken to correct this and if they are where the orthodontist expected, they will take you onto the next level. This will not take long but is an important part of the process.

You may wonder why you have so many parts to the braces and in some events; there will be more parts than in others. Many people can just have the elastic bands but for others it will be much more serious. If you are given an accessory you should use it exactly as you were told to. It could be a facemask or biteplate – it may even be headgear that is going to be very noticeable and can be difficult to get used to. You have to remember that the orthodontist does not give you these items for fun; they do it because they are needed to give you the smile you want. By not wearing or using them you are not fooling the orthodontist but yourself as you will be the one who goes through extended time in treatment and comes out looking pretty much the same as you did when it started.

The great news is that the treatment will not last forever. One day you are asking about getting treatment, the next you are having the braces removed and being told about what is to happen next. You will be scheduled a deband session and this is where the braces are moved. Not only will they braces be taken off, but the teeth will be fully cleaned as there will be bits of cement left on them. You will need to have molds made again as the teeth are in a different position to when the first ones were made. These will be the molds that are used to assemble the retainer. You will need these for the next few years as you don’t want the teeth to move back to the position they were in when you started. Now that you are on the final hurdle, you should be looking forward to the future with the teeth you want and not too stressed by what has happened. If you were given an honest answer when you asked, “How long does it take to get braces?” you should be where you expected to be. It is to be hoped that you have got the results that the orthodontist told you to expect and that you are not going to risk it by not using the retainers properly.

There is now light at the end of the tunnel and you can smile to the world without showing them metal and elastic. The treatment you went through will fade into the background and you won’t regret a thing.